CRICKET: Fleming stars as champions elect St Asaph beat Northop

Reporter:

Dean Jones

Sunday 7 August 2016 20:16

A MASTERFUL performance from Paul Fleming was the catalyst behind St Asaph’s 112-run triumph at Northop.

The North Wales Division One leaders dominated proceedings on both sides of the ball to edge closer to the title, and they will look to continue their sensational run of form this Saturday when they entertain Carmel and District.

The home side made a disappointing start after opting to bat, with Tom Blackwell removing Danny Ryan (0) and Keenan Vieira (8) in quick succession, before skipper Mathew Ryan was ousted from the crease after contributing 28.

Will Ryan made a steady 30 before becoming Mark Poynton’s first victim of the afternoon, but Fleming’s finest knock of the season turned the game on its head.

The all-rounder eventually made 104 in a stylish innings that enabled the home side to set an imposing target of 264 all out from 47 overs.

Jason Foulkes got the run defence off to a flyer by taking out opener Richard Walker (4), and the same bowler was on hand to remove James Roberts to finish the day on 2-44.

Talented bowler Fleming proved to be equally impressive with the ball, taking four wickets for the loss of 43 runs, and together with Andrew Bellis’ 3-20 the champions elect restricted the away side to 152 all out for another comfortable victory.